US Youth Soccer a Common Thread Among U-20 WNT Training Camp Attendees Preparing for 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup

FRISCO, Texas (May 1, 2014) – Twenty-seven players have been called to attend the upcoming Under-20 Women’s National Team Camp - May 11-18 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. - in preparation for the 2014 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In addition to being called in for the camp, each athlete also shares a common thread of participation in US Youth Soccer.

The roster of 27 includes 23 players that have participated in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program, the nation's original player identification program that has continued its tradition of elite competition and player development for more than 30 years.

Current players Kaleigh Riehl and Carlyn Baldwin join four others on the roster that have ties to the US Youth Soccer National League, a program that offers additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches and offers the highest level of competition and the chance to earn a spot to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. Riehl and Baldwin both helped BRYC 95 Elite (VA) win the 2013-14 National League Under-18 Red Division title and will try to win their second National Championship in three years this summer in Germantown, Md.

The camp will precede travel to France in June in which Head Coach Michelle French will choose a 20-player roster to compete against the France Under-20 Women’s National Team. A final training camp will take place in July before heading to Canada for the World Cup in August.

“Without a doubt, there is a definite sense of urgency for the players coming in to our May camp,” said French. “Having only three events left prior to the World Cup, the identifying players who are best able to successfully implement the ideas of our system and style of play will be crucial to the naming of our final roster.”